Father-of-two Glenn Harris, 55, (pictured) killed himself with a chainsaw after reading a book on human biology, an inquest heard

A father-of-two killed himself with an electric chainsaw after reading a book on human biology, an inquest heard today.

Glenn Harris, 55, was found dead by police at his home in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire.

His body discovered next to the bloodied saw and an open biology textbook on February 10, after worried family members raised the alarm.

Coroner Paul Kelly told the inquest at Cleethorpes Coroner's Court that Mr Harris's death was 'organised and planned', and recorded a verdict of suicide.

The hearing was told that Mr Harris had been left unable to work after being diagnosed with Lupus, and was concerned that his benefits may be changed in the weeks before his death.

Mr Harris, who had worked for food company Findus, was also depressed after the death of his sister in December 2014, the inquest was told.

The wound on Mr Harris’ neck had gone back almost to the spinal column, a pathologist told the inquest.

'There was no suicide note but there were diagrams open nearby on a chair,' said consultant pathologist Dr William Peters.

The doctor gave the cause of death as neck injuries.

Mr Harris' ex-wife Gayle spoke at the brief hearing. They met in 1981, and although they had separated in 1997 they saw each other regularly and maintained a strong bond because of their two children.

Mrs Harris said Mr Harris had never really returned to work after he was diagnosed with Lupus, a condition which can affect the skin, joints and internal organs and cause fatigue, rashes, pain and swelling.

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The most severe form, systemic lupus erythematosus, affects around 15,000 people in England and Wales, the majority of them women.

Mrs Harris said: 'He knew he wasn't really well enough to work but he wanted to work.'

She told the inquest that his mood seemed slightly different in 2009, when he allowed rubbish to build up in her house while he was looking after it, while she was on holiday.

'At that time his sister wasn't well and she died a couple of months later,' she said.

'A year later he lost his mum and then prior to his own death his sister died a couple of weeks previously.'

Mrs Harris told the hearing that around two years ago there had been discussions about his benefits changing, which had caused him stress, and around a week before he died he had received another letter from the benefits agency saying they wanted to change them again.

Mr Harris's body was found at his home in this street in Cleethorpes in February

Mrs Harris said: 'He felt he couldn't cope with going through that again.'

She said in the days up to his death Mr Harris was looking 'absolutely dreadful' and had not been eating, he had also been complaining of a dry mouth no matter how much he drank.

She added that he 'was panicking about these benefit letters'.

The hearing was told that the family, and not long after the police, became concerned after Mr Harris' son tried to contact his father.

He could see his car was at home and the lights were on but no one was answering.

He called called his mother, who called Mr Harris' brother-in-law to check on him. The family feared he may have fainted and called the police.

Family members then forced the door of the flat just moments before police arrived.

Mr Kelly passed a conclusion of suicide after coming to the decision that Mr Harris' death was deliberate.

He said: 'On February 10, 2015, at his home address, the deceased self-administered serious injuries to his neck, those injuries led to his death.'

Mr Kelly said that Mrs Harris had described a picture of her ex-husband's deteriorating mental health and Mr Harris had seemingly been afflicted by 'life events' and possible challenges with his benefits.

He added: 'The injuries inflicted from which he died needed to be organised and planned, even up to the point of obtaining a book on human biology.'

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Harris said: 'In the space of a few years he had lost his mum and two sisters.'

In regard to being worried about his benefits, she said: 'That was too much for him. He was such a kind, caring man who wanted to work, but clearly with his disability couldn't work. And then all these letters about stopping benefits.

'He just couldn't work.

'You couldn't see his illness, its an auto immune disorder affecting his internal organs. You can't see it but Glenn could feel it.

Speaking about the extreme decision for Mr Harris to take his own life, Mrs Harris said: 'I just cannot believe it, I don't think anyone can believe it. I think its a little bit unique really.

'He was very loyal, very kind and very caring man. In 30-odd years I never heard him say a wrong word about anyone.'

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